Premiership: Giggs set for United start

Ryan Giggs is hoping for his first start of the year as Manchester United face Blackburn at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The Welsh star returned to the squad last weekend after missing the opening two games of 2002 with a hamstring strain and came off the bench for the last five minutes as United won 3-1 at Southampton.

It looks as though manager Alex Ferguson will have selection problems with Nicky Butt also expected to return after missing last weekend through suspension and injury. The United boss will check on his fitness before confirming his line-up.

Ferguson seems unlikely to make too many changes as the league leaders look for their ninth successive win in all competitions.

Up front the in-form Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to continue alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Team (from): Barthez, P Neville, Blanc, G Neville, Silvestre, Beckham, Keane, Veron, Scholes, Butt, Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Solksjaer, Irwin, Yorke, O’Shea, Chadwick, Carroll.